For many middle school students, connections between their lives and concepts like chemical reactivity, microbial contamination, and experimental sampling are not obvious. They may also feel that, even if there were connections, understanding the monitoring and quality of natural resources is something for grown-ups and beyond their…

Although teachers in principle are prepared to make use of science centers, such excursions often fail to facilitate learning processes. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the link between science centers and schools. The design and evaluation of valuable outreach projects may enhance students' out-of-school science learning. In our study, we…

Explains the "Overview-Case Study Method" for teaching high school physics which has evolved from the author's experience/success with a program in which 90 percent of the high school's students take physics as an elective. Areas considered include methods, case studies, textbooks, multilevel physics, qualitative physics, and real-life…

Describes a sixth-form field course consisting of written materials for students and a teacher's booklet giving necessary techniques, lists of apparatus, and practical hints. The course aims to estimate energy flows in a woodland ecosystem by means of a series of practical sessions involving field/laboratory investigations and calculations.…

The Search for Excellence in Science Education (SESE) project gives national recognition to outstanding science programs. Descriptions of five high school physics programs selected by SESE are provided. Unique aspects of the programs, instructional strategies, and other areas are included. (BC)

Compared the performance of teachers and students on the Field Experiences Achievement Test with results obtained from seventh-grade students who took the FEAT during its development and validation. Results indicate that tests developed for student use may also be used in inservice teacher education programs. (JN)

To assist in designing/implementing qualitative analysis courses, examines reliability/accuracy of several published separation schemes, notes methods where particular difficulties arise (focusing on Groups II/III), and presents alternative schemes for the separation of these groups. Only cation analyses are reviewed. Figures are presented in…

Discusses the development of a student's ability to control experiments as an important aim of modern science curriculum materials. Argues that most curriculum developers offer only a simplistic method of controlling variables. Suggests ways to enhance the development of variable control within the framework of student experiments. (TW)

This manual is organized around the concept of chemical change as used to explain everyday phenomena. It concentrates on three interrelated aspects of chemical change: (l) scientific knowledge; (2) technological applications; and (3) societal issues. The unit is divided into four episodes or segments of instruction with suggested time allotments.…

Discussed is the use of volunteers to teach an astronomy laboratory course. Amateur astronomy groups were recruited to help teach this course. Advantages of using volunteers are listed. A list of student field experiences is included. (KR)

Provided is a unit which relates the fulcrum of a lever system and the mean of a distribution of scores. The objective, rationale, two student laboratories, and an evaluation system are outlined. Content background on statistics is offered. (MVL)

"How Students Learn: Science in the Classroom" builds on the discoveries detailed in the best-selling "How People Learn." Now these findings are presented in a way that teachers can use immediately, to revitalize their work in the classroom for even greater effectiveness. Organized for utility, the book explores how the principles of learning can…

This curriculum guide, developed to establish statewide curriculum standards for the Louisiana Competency-based Education Program, contains the minimum competencies and process skills that should be included in a physics course. It consists of: (1) a rationale for an effective science program; (2) a list and description of four major goals of…

This curriculum guide, developed to establish statewide curriculum standards for the Louisiana Competency-based Education Program, contains the minimum competencies and process skills that should be included in a chemistry course. It consists of: (1) a rationale for an effective science program; (2) a list and description of four major goals of…

This curriculum guide, developed to establish statewide curriculum standards for the Louisiana Competency-based Education Program, contains the minimum competencies and process skills that should be included in a biology course. It consists of: (1) a rationale for an effective science program; (2) a list and description of four major goals of…